This article gives an overview about the main anatomical structures of the human brain and its general function.

Steps

1

Study the human brain's main anatomical structures: the cerebral cortex, limbic system, basal ganglia, brainstem and cerebellum. The cerebral cortex, basal ganglia and cerebellum are directly involved in movement coordination of the muscles of the various parts of the body.

2

Note that the brain's cells can be classified as motor neurons and sensory neurons.

Motor neurons usually give orders to the body (e.g., to move particular muscles). They are also present in the spinal cord where they function to perform certain types of reflexes that are called spinal cord reflexes.

The other type of neurons in the brain is called sensory neurons. These cells specialize in receiving sensory information from various parts of the body and interpret them. For example, sensory neurons in the skin called free nerve endings specialize in sensing temperature. This sensation is then carried to the brainstem where it ends at neurons that are located there.

These neurons in the brainstem usually synapse with other neurons that terminate in the cerebral cortex at sensory type of neurons. The brainstem is usually an intermediate way for electric signals in its way to the brain originating at various parts of the body.

3

Learn about the motor and sensory neurons. These usually have specific locations within the cortex. Motor neurons usually synapse with neurons in the spinal cord before reaching their final destination.

Motor neurons in the spinal cord perform different function than that of motor neurons in the cortex of the brain. For example, the main function of motor neurons of the spinal cord is associated with performing special reflexes. On the other hand, motor neurons in the brain cortex can mediate cognitive processes and logical reasoning, which are performed exclusively in certain regions of the brain that do not have analogues elsewhere in the body.

4

Study the limbic system. This organization of neuron clusters within the brain tissue below the level of the cortex is specialized for sensing and mediating emotional effects (e.g., aggressive behavior).

A special type of neurons in this structure is called the hippocampus, which is thought to be involved in memory processing and storing.

5

Learn about the basal ganglia. This organization of clusters of neurons is thought to be mainly involved in mediating the various movements of the muscles of the body.

Disorders of movements such as Parkinson disease and Huntington Chorea are found to be caused due to dysfunction of certain neurons of the basal ganglia.

6

Understand the purpose of the cerebellum. This is a specialized system of neurons. This distinct anatomical structure of the brain is located at the posterior bottom aspect of the brain.

The cerebellum is the main coordinator of muscle movements in the body. It also controls the body orientation in space. Disorders of gait or walking disorders are sometimes caused due to dysfunction of this anatomical structure of the brain.

7

Learn about the brainstem. This anatomical structure of the brain is continuous with the spinal cord. However, it is a distinct part that belongs to the lower part of the brain. The brainstem is the source of all cranial nerves of the brain; therefore, an injury can cause many clinical manifestations associated with the function of these nerves. This anatomical structure is also the mediator of many other functions in the body.

Especially notable is the hypothalamic structure of the brain. The hypothalamus of the lower brain is the mediator of the function of the important endocrine gland that is called the pituitary gland, which mediates such sensations as hunger, thirst, respiration rate, heart beat, and body temperature.